JPH09163338A - Terminal equipment, reception method, transmitter, transmission method, transmitter-receiver and transmission reception method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent copied information from being illegally used in a transmitter-receiver sending/receiving the information via a network. SOLUTION: When the user uses set top boxes STB 13a-13c to request transmission of desired information, an information editer 11 acquires requested information from contents provider databases 10a-10c and adds copyright information to the acquired information and provides an output of the information to an ATM exchange 12. The STB 13a-13c receiving the information superimpose the copyright information onto the desired information and provide an output of the resulting information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device, a receiving method, a transmitting device, a transmitting method, a transmitting / receiving device, and a transmitting / receiving method, and in particular, a terminal for receiving information transmitted by the transmitting device via a network. The present invention relates to a device, a receiving method, a transmitting device, a transmitting method, a transmitting / receiving device, and a transmitting / receiving method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Video-on-demand (VOD), for example, which transmits video and audio information to a user's terminal device via a network, has been attracting attention as a next-generation information system.

In these information systems, a large amount of information can be transmitted at high speed, for example, BI.
Since the SDN line is used, it is possible to transmit high-definition video with high quality, high-fidelity voice, and the like.

[0004]

However, by using these information systems, it is possible to easily copy (copy) a high quality video or audio using a recording medium such as a VTR. . As a result, there is a problem that the copied recording medium has a high possibility of being illegally lent or sold.

Since these copied information can be transferred to the terminal devices of other users via the network, the recording medium itself on which the information is recorded can be lent or sold. However, there is a problem that illegal copying may spread among users at a higher speed than in the case where it happens.

Further, when these illegal copies are widespread, it has been impossible to specify the route, so that the user who has distributed the copy cannot be specified, resulting in the copyright. There was a problem that the protection of the reliance was solely on the morals of the users.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and particularly, in an information system for transmitting information via a network, it prevents illegal copying and thus protects copyright. Is.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a terminal device has a receiving means for receiving information transmitted from a transmitting device, and an extracting means for extracting information about copyright from the information received by the receiving means. And is provided.

A receiving method according to a fourth aspect is characterized in that the information transmitted from the transmitting device is received and the information regarding the copyright is extracted from the received information.

A transmission device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes an addition means for adding information about copyright to the information, and a transmission means for transmitting the information added with the information about copyright by the addition means to the terminal device. It is characterized by

A transmission method according to a seventh aspect is characterized in that information regarding copyright is added to the information and the information with the information regarding copyright is transmitted to the terminal device.

According to another aspect of the transmission / reception apparatus of the present invention, the transmission side includes addition means for adding information regarding copyright to the information.
The terminal side is provided with transmitting means for transmitting the information to which the copyright information is added by the adding means to the terminal device.
It is characterized by comprising a receiving means for receiving the information transmitted from the transmitting side, and an extracting means for extracting the information on the copyright from the information received by the receiving means.

According to a ninth aspect of the transmission / reception method, the transmitting side adds the information regarding the copyright to the information, transmits the information with the information regarding the copyright to the terminal side, and the terminal side
It is characterized in that the information transmitted from the transmitting side is received and the information regarding the copyright is extracted from the received information.

In the terminal device according to the first aspect, the receiving unit receives the information transmitted from the transmitting unit, and the extracting unit extracts the information regarding the copyright from the information received by the receiving unit.

In the receiving method according to the fourth aspect, the information transmitted from the transmitting device is received, and the information regarding the copyright is extracted from the received information.

In the transmitting device according to the fifth aspect, the adding means adds the information regarding the copyright to the information, and the transmitting means transmits the information to which the information regarding the copyright is added by the adding means to the terminal device.

In the transmission method according to the seventh aspect, the information regarding the copyright is added to the information, and the information including the information regarding the copyright is transmitted to the terminal device.

In the transmitting / receiving device according to claim 8,
On the transmitting side, the information regarding copyright is added to the information by the adding means, and the information regarding the copyright is added by the adding means is transmitted by the transmitting means to the terminal device. The terminal side is transmitted from the transmitting side. The receiving means receives the information, and the extracting means extracts the information regarding the copyright from the information received by the receiving means.

In the transmission / reception method according to claim 9,
The transmitting side adds information regarding copyright to the information, transmits the information including the information regarding copyright to the terminal side, and the terminal side receives the information transmitted from the transmitting side, and from the received information, Extract information about copyright.

[0020]

1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transmitting / receiving apparatus of the present invention. In this figure, the content provider databases 10a to 10c are
Information such as video, audio, and computer data, and program information such as movies and news composed of such information are recorded. The information editing device 11 responds to the request from each terminal device by the content provider 10a.
Through 10 to 10c, desired information is retrieved, these information is subjected to predetermined processing, and then output.

An ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) switch 12 closes a line between the information editing device 11 and each set top box (STB) 13a to 13c, and transfers data between them in an asynchronous transfer mode. It is designed to be transmitted.

Set top boxes 13a to 13c
Requests the ATM switch 12 to transmit desired information, and also performs predetermined processing on the transmitted information and outputs it. The television receivers 14a to 14c are configured to display and output the video / audio signals output from the set top boxes 13a to 13c.

In the present specification, devices installed on the user side, such as the set top boxes 13a to 13c and the television receivers 14a to 14c, are collectively referred to as terminal devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the information editing device 11 in the transmitting / receiving device shown in FIG. The configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described below.

The control unit 30 includes a CPU (Central Processi).
ng Unit) 30a, ROM (Read Only Memory) 30
b, RAM (Random Access Memory) 30c, IF (In
terface) 30d and the like, and controls the entire information editing apparatus 11 and acquires desired information from the content provider databases 10a to 10c.

The database 31 (recording means) is the name of the user, the ID number of the terminal device, the history of information used by the user, and the content provider database 10.
A list of information owned by a to 10c is recorded. The video signal recording unit 32, the audio signal recording unit 33, and the computer data recording unit 34 respectively record the video signal, the audio signal, or the computer data transmitted from the content provider databases 10a to 10c.

MUX (Multiplexer) 35 (additional means)
Superimposes the information supplied from the control unit 30, the video signal recording unit 32, the audio signal recording unit 33, or the computer data recording unit 34. The transmitting / receiving unit 36 (transmitting means) is
Information is transmitted and received to and from each terminal device via the ATM exchange 12.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining an example of processing executed by the control unit 30 of the information editing apparatus 11 shown in FIG. In this process, in response to a transmission request from the terminal device, the copyright information is transmitted together with the requested information.

In step S10 of FIG. 3, the control unit 3
The CPU 30a of 0 determines whether or not the information transmission request is made from the terminal device. When it is determined that there is no transmission request from the terminal device (NO), the process returns to step S10 and the same processing is repeated. If it is determined that the transmission request is made from the terminal device (YES), the process proceeds to step S11, and the database 31 is searched for copyright information regarding the information (program) requested by the terminal device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of this copyright information.

The copyright information is the title of the information (for example,
Song title "Yesterday"), copyright holder name (for example, composer "Paul McCartni"), copyright neighbor holder name (for example,
Performer "The Beatles"), the protection level indicating the level of copyright protection (for example, 1 to 3), and the date and time when the transmission request of this information was made (for example, December 1 12:34:10). It is composed of.

Then, in step S12, the ID number of the terminal device that issued the information transmission request, the type of the information requested to be transmitted, and the date and time when the transmission request was made (the date and time included in the above copyright information). And the like) are stored in the database 31 as information usage history.

In step S13, it is determined whether or not the information can be transmitted. If it is determined that the information cannot be transmitted (NO), the process returns to step S12 and the same processing is repeated until the transmission becomes possible. In addition, when it is determined that it is possible (YES), the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, C of the control unit 30
The PU 30a outputs the copyright information acquired in step S11 to the MUX 35 via the IF 30d, and then in step S1.
Go to 5.

In step S15, the CPU of the control unit 30
The requested information 30a includes a video signal recording unit 32, an audio signal recording unit 33, or a computer data recording unit 34.
If it is recorded in the MUX35,
Control to output to.

If the requested information is not stored in any of the video signal recording section 32, the audio signal recording section 33, or the computer data recording section 34, the database 31 is searched to obtain the requested information. The content provider databases 10a to 10c storing the are specified. Then, a control command that means to transmit the requested information is sent to the specified content provider databases 10a to 10c. As a result, the information sent is stored in a predetermined recording unit (video signal recording unit 32, audio signal recording unit 33, or computer data recording unit 34) via the control unit 30. Then, as in the case described above, the stored information is transferred to the MUX 35.
Control to output to. Then, the process ends (end).

As a result, the information requested from the terminal device and the copyright information related to this information obtained from the database 31 are combined by the MUX 35, and the transmitting / receiving unit 3
6. The transmission / reception unit 36 divides the superimposed signal into packets of an appropriate length, and the ATM switch 12
Output to The ATM exchange 12 will transmit the information divided into packets to the terminal device that has made the transfer request.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a packet output from the transmitting / receiving unit 36. In this figure, the packet 50 is either a video packet, an audio packet, a private 1 packet, a private 2 packet, or a padding packet (not shown).
The above-mentioned copyright information includes PES private data 5 included in other 52 of conditional coding 51 of video packet, audio packet, or private 1 packet which have the same format.
3 is stored.

The PES private data 53
Since only 128-bit data can be stored, it may be stored in the packet data 55 of two independent private packets. In this case, the bit length is 8 ×
Since N (N is defined by the packet length) can be set, more information can be transmitted as copyright information.

According to the above processing, when an information transmission request is made from each terminal device, it becomes possible to add copyright information to the requested information and transmit it to the terminal device. .

Next, the configuration and operation of the terminal device will be described with reference to the block diagram showing an example of the detailed configuration of the STB 13 (13a to 13c) shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, the transmitter / receiver 70 of the STB 13
The (reception means) is adapted to receive the information transmitted from the ATM exchange 12, and also to transmit the information transmission request to the information editing device 11 via the ATM exchange 12. The control unit 71 includes a CPU 71a, a ROM 71b, an RA
Comprised of M71c and IF71d, STB13
It is designed to control the whole thing. Input section 72
Are operated when the operator inputs.

A DMUX (Demultiplexer) 73 (extracting means) separates the original information from the multiplexed information transmitted from the ATM switch 12 and outputs it. The video decoder 74 (output means) outputs the video (video) signal output from the DMUX 73 to, for example, NTSC (National T).
elevision System Committee) signal is converted and output. Audio decoder 75
The (output means) converts an audio (voice) signal into an original analog signal and outputs it. The computer data decoder 76 (output means) decodes the compressed computer data into original data. Further, the private decoder 77 (extracting means) is designed to decode text information, additional voice, etc., and also decode and output copyright information.

The television receiver 78 (corresponding to the television receivers 14a to 14c in FIG. 1) displays and outputs the NTSC signal output from the video decoder 74. A VTR (Video Tape Recorder) 79 records the above-mentioned NTSC signal. The mini disk (trademark) drive device 80 records the audio signal output from the audio decoder 75. Speaker 81
Is configured to convert the above-mentioned voice signal into voice and output the voice.

The personal computer 82 inputs the computer data output from the computer data decoder 76 and performs a predetermined process based on this data.
The MO (Magneto Optic) disk drive device 83 is a peripheral device of the personal computer 82, and is configured to record data supplied from the computer data decoder 76, data processed by the personal computer 82, and the like.

FIG. 7 shows the control section 7 of the STB 13 shown in FIG.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed in No. 1. When the user operates the input unit 72 and makes a transmission request to the information editing apparatus 11 so as to transmit desired information, in step S30, the CPU of the control unit 71
71a requests the information editing device 11 to transmit information (program). Then, step S3
In step 1, it is determined whether the program can be received.
For example, when the information editing device 11 is not ready for transmission (in the case of NO), the process returns to step S31 and the same processing is repeated. If it is determined that reception is possible (YES), the process proceeds to step S32.

In step S32, the CPU 71a
In the IF 71d, the copyright information separated and extracted by the DMUX 73 and decrypted by the private decoder 77.
And read it through the memory and store it in a predetermined area of the RAM 71c. Then, data indicating the protection level is further extracted from the information stored in the RAM 71c,
It is determined whether or not the protection level is 3 (step S33).

Here, the protection level is information indicating the copyright protection level of the information. For example, protection level 1 means that no copy is allowed. Also, protection level 2 indicates that only copies intended for private use are allowed. Furthermore, protection level 3 can be freely copied,
It also indicates that this copy may be used for any purpose other than private use.

In step S33, the CPU 71a
However, if it is determined that the protection level is 1 or 2 (copying other than private use is prohibited; NO), the process proceeds to step S34 and the copyright information stored in the RAM 71c is transferred from the information editing device 11 to the information editing device 11. Decoder (video decoder 74, audio decoder 75, or computer data decoder 76) that processes the information (video, audio, or computer data) sent.
Supply to

When it is determined that the protection level is 3, the process of step S34 is skipped,
It proceeds to step S35.

In step S35, the CPU 71a
Supplies a predetermined control command to the transmitting / receiving unit 70 to start receiving information. As a result, the decoder performs step S3 on the information sent from the information editing device 11.
The AV that is the output destination by superimposing the copyright information extracted in 2
Supply to the device. Then, the process ends (end).

According to the above embodiment, the information editing device 11
A request is made to send the desired information to, and the information sent as a result is received. Then, the copyright information added to the received information is extracted, and a signal in which the received information and the copyright information are superimposed is output to each AV device.

In the processing example of FIG. 7, the copyright information is displayed in a superimposed manner corresponding to the protection level. However, the copyright information may not always be displayed in a superimposed manner regardless of the protection level. It is possible.
This is because the copyright holder, not the general user, should make the confirmation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example when the copyright information is superimposed and displayed. In this example, "Caligula" (title), "A.
Camus "(copyright holder)," December 1, 1995 1
2:34:11 ”(date and time),“ Protection level 1 ”, etc. are displayed. In addition, these displays are 5
If one frame (screen) is displayed at a rate of once every 30 seconds, it will not be perceived by the user during normal speed reproduction, so that the original screen display of the image is displayed. There is no hindrance.

When the user records this information on the VTR 79 and illegally sells or lends this video tape, the recorded information includes the copyright information and the date and time when the user acquired the information. In addition, the usage history of the user is recorded in the database 31 of the information editing device 11. Therefore, by collating these two pieces of information, it is possible to identify the user who has illegally distributed the information.

Since the information recorded by the VTR 79 or the like includes copyright information, if the user is informed that the person making the illegal copy can be identified based on this, the user It is possible to prevent unauthorized copying.

In this embodiment, the copyright information is added only to the video signal and displayed. However, the same thing can be said.
It can also be applied to the data output to the mini disk drive device 80 or the personal computer 82.

When copyright information is added to the audio signal output to the mini disk drive device 80, for example, the copyright information is converted into predetermined bit data, and this data is converted by a signal outside the audible band. By modulating and superimposing this on the audio signal, copyright information can be recorded.

When the output audio signal is a digital signal, the copyright information can be added to the user's bit inserted between the audio information.

In the case of computer data, the copyright information may be stored in a predetermined area (eg header portion) of the data. Alternatively, when the computer data is recorded as a file on the recording medium, the creation date and time is simultaneously recorded as an attribute of the file, but this may be rewritten with the date and time when the information editing device 11 transmits the computer data to the terminal device. .

However, the computer data can be easily rewritten. Therefore, in order to prevent the copyright information from being deleted or rewritten, the area where the copyright information is stored is changed for each data,
Furthermore, by encrypting the copyright information, rewriting can be prevented.

Further, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the copied recording medium is illegally rented or sold. However, the present invention is effective even when these pieces of information are illegally distributed via a network, for example.

That is, since the copyright information is superimposed on the information output from the STB 13, even when the information is retransmitted via the network, the information on which the copyright information is superimposed can be transmitted. become. Therefore,
Even when information is illegally copied via the network, it is possible to specify the user who first made the illegal copy.

[0064]

According to the terminal device of the first aspect and the receiving method of the fourth aspect, the information transmitted from the transmitting device is received, and the information on the copyright is extracted from the received information. Since it is set, the user who illegally spread the copied information can be specified. Therefore, it is possible to suppress illegal copying.

A transmitter according to claim 5 and claim 7
According to the transmission method described in (1), the information regarding copyright is added to the information, and the information with the information regarding copyright is transmitted to the terminal device. , It is possible to specify the user who has distributed the illegal copy.

According to the transmitting / receiving device of the eighth aspect and the transmitting / receiving method of the ninth aspect, the transmitting side adds the information regarding the copyright to the information, and the information including the information regarding the copyright is added to the terminal side. Since the terminal side receives the information sent from the sending side and extracts the information about the copyright from the received information, it is easy to send and receive the information for detecting illegal copies. Is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a transmission / reception device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the information editing apparatus shown in FIG.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed in the information editing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of copyright information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure of a packet transmitted / received between transmission / reception devices.

6 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the STB shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed in STB shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of display of copyright information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Content Provider Database 11 Information Editing Device 12 ATM Switch 13 STB 14 Television Receiver 31 Database (Recording Means) 35 MUX (Adding Means) 36 Transceiver (Sending Means) 70 Transceiver (Receiving Means) 73 DMUX (Extracting Means) 74 Video Decoder (Output Means) 75 Audio Decoder (Output Means) 76 Computer Data Decoder (Output Means) 77 Private Decoder (Extraction Means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location // G10K 15/04 302 H04N 5/91 P

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A terminal device for receiving information transmitted from a transmitting device, receiving means for receiving the information transmitted from the transmitting device, and information relating to copyright from the information received by the receiving device. A terminal device, comprising: 2. The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising output means for outputting the information about the copyright extracted by the extraction means to an AV device connected to the terminal device. 3. The terminal according to claim 2, wherein the output unit outputs the information about the copyright to the AV device according to predetermined information included in the information about the copyright. apparatus. 4. A receiving method for receiving information transmitted from a transmitting device, characterized by receiving information transmitted from the transmitting device and extracting copyright information from the received information. Receiving method. 5. A transmitting device for transmitting information to a terminal device, wherein the adding means for adding information about copyright to the information, and the information to which the information about copyright is added by the adding means, A transmitting device, comprising: a transmitting means for transmitting to the device. 6. The transmission device according to claim 5, further comprising a recording unit that records history information of the information transmitted to each of the terminal devices. 7. A transmission method for transmitting information to a terminal device, wherein information on copyright is added to the information, and the information to which the information on copyright is added is transmitted to the terminal device. And how to send. 8. A transmission / reception device in which a transmitting side transmits information to a terminal side, wherein the transmitting side adds, to the information, information relating to copyright, and the information relating to copyright is added by the adding means. A transmission unit configured to transmit the information to the terminal device, wherein the terminal side receives the information transmitted from the transmission side, and a reception unit related to the copyright from the information received by the reception unit. A transmitting / receiving device, comprising: an extracting unit that extracts information. 9. A transmission / reception method in which a transmitting side transmits information to a terminal side, wherein the transmitting side adds copyright information to the information, and adds the information with the copyright information to the terminal side. The transmitting / receiving method, wherein the terminal side receives the information transmitted from the transmitting side, and extracts information regarding the copyright from the received information.